Trump's UN nominee to slam world body over approach to Israel
Governor Nikki Haley is slated to sound harsh criticism against the UN for its treatment of "our close ally" in an appearance she is expected to make before the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.
By JOY BERNARDUpdated: JANUARY 25, 2017 05:38Nikki Haley accepts nomination for US Envoy to the UN , Nov. 23, 2016
US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be US ambassador to the United Nations will blast the world body over its treatment of Israel at her Senate confirmation hearing, reports claimed on Wednesday, citing a testimony seen by Reuters."Nowhere has the UN’s failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel," Republican South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said in the opening remarks for her appearance on Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.According to Reuters, Haley's speech also said that "any honest assessment also finds an institution that is often at odds with American national interests and American taxpayers."Haley's expected remarks arrive at an especially strained period in the relations between the US and Israel, serving as a potential indication to the possible shift in the nature of the rapport between the world power and the Jewish State as US President Barack Obama is expected to officially leave the White House later on Wednesday, with President-elect Trump assuming office this coming Friday.Only several weeks ago did some of Israel's prominent leaders, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Knesset members to Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon, sound harsh criticism against the UN after its Security Council passed Resolution 2334 on December 23, 2016, which called on the State of Israel to halt its construction of settlements.Prime Minister Netanyahu was especially adamant in his critique of the Obama administration, lamenting that the US neglected to exercise its ability to veto the Security Council's vote on the resolution."Friends don't take friends to the UN," the premier was quoted as saying after fourteen of the fifteen countries that make up the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, while the US chose to abstain.Despite the fact that President Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry, among others, officially denied any US diplomatic action behind the scenes to push for the passing of the resolution as some of the criticism alluded to, a strong sentiment of betrayal lingers in the Israeli political ranks as well as the public.While Haley has chosen to remain silent in the past regarding President-elect Trump's comments on subjects relating to the US's foreign affairs, her statements mark a positive inclination toward Israel-US relations.Some of her colleagues have noted after her nomination that Haley was indeed a firm supporter of Israel. Lauding her appointment, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said that "Haley is a strong supporter of the State of Israel. Her presence as ambassador will be reassuring to all those who are concerned about the increasing hostility of the United Nations toward Israel.”
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, also welcomed Haley’s appointment on Wednesday.“Governor Haley is longstanding and true friend of Israel and is an outspoken fighter against the BDS movement in her state, and throughout the US,” he said in a statement. “I know that we at the Israeli Mission will continue to work in full partnership with our friends in the American Mission, as we further strengthen the special bond and shared values between Israel and the US.”Reuters contributed to this report.